Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda CX-5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2012
22,280 new Mazda CX-5 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were Germany (8,671), the Netherlands (2,620), the United Kingdom (1,862).
- Average mass
- 1,553 kg
- Average power
- 118 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 51% · Diesel 49%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2012 Mazda CX-5 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (121 kW, 162 hp), 2.0 petrol (118 kW, 158 hp) and 2.2 diesel (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 121 kW 162 hp | 2,444 |
| 2.0 petrol | 118 kW 158 hp | 1,329 |
| 2.2 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 38 |
| 2.2 diesel | 129 kW 173 hp | 28 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
3,844 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 41% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €30,683.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde2,354
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling1,426
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,221
- Stuurkogel te veel speling1,106
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af986
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm646
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht639
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld615
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,289 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 131 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,520 of these cars first registered in 2012 took their annual MOT test. 69% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2012 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| Steering | 11.4% | 2.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.7% | 14.3% |
| Tyres | 5.6% | 7.0% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 7.7% |
| Visibility | 3.4% | 5.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
208 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 223,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
5,942 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 80% arrived as used imports, 19% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2012 Mazda CX-5.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mazda told its dealers about the 2012 Mazda CX-5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10232299 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10222564 | Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during cold start. This is caused by a variable valve being stuck in the closed position. When returning from fast idle to normal, the stuck valve suddenly opens due to thermal change around it which causes abnormal noise. To eliminate this concern, the internal design of the exhaust manifold has been modified. |
| 10213430 | Excessive condensation or water within the headlamp assembly caustion |
| 10213427 | HandsFree bluetooth module and/or text messaging troubleshooting procedure |
| 10213421 | Condensation/Fog in front and rear combination lights |
| 10213417 | Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination |
| 10213405 | ATFFZ required for SKYACTIV drive 6speed automatic transaxle |
| 10213326 | Mazda guidelines for factory scheduled maintenance |
| 10213185 | Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10209778 | The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code. |
| 10209761 | Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts & Accessories. |
| 10209752 | There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. This misdiagnosis can lead to multiple repair attempts, warranty debits, and additional inconvenience and/or cost to the customer. To reduce the chance of this occurring, please follow the steps outlined in the repair procedure. |
| 10203730 | Some vehicles may exhibit the inner cloth (A) falling down at the rear end causing a poor appearance and obstructing the view of the back window. |
| 10188016 | This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10188015 | The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code. |
| 10186703 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer |
| 10186693 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10186334 | Display shows inaccurate ambient temperature. Some customers may complain that the ambient temperature display is not accurate, or it takes too long for the display to show actual temperature. |
| 10177853 | If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal Workshop Manual diagnosis. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Ask the customer if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Below are a couple of examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. |
| 10177847 | When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Paint Warranty Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable). |
| 10170661 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealers responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle |
| 10055144 | MAZDA: INFORMATION REGARDING THE EVAPORATE EMISSION STANDARD LAUNCHING OF EMISSION RECALL 7113-L. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)